I don't have a user manual. Where can I find one?

How do I get hot water without central heating?

Set the desired temperature to well below ambient on the digital control panel.

Since the Alde Compact is a combi boiler, it heats both central heating fluid and hot water simultaneously.

If the desired temperature is set ≈5 °C below ambient on the digital control panel, the central heating will cut out— the heating fluid will not be circulated to the convectors and the living space will not be warmed.

Hot water is still readily available and the central heating will still cut in if the ambient temperature drops below that desired.

Do I need to winterise my system?

Yes.

Unless your vehicle is explicitly stated to be self-winterising, even if the central heating is left at 5°C over winter there may be chinks in the fresh water system that are insufficiently heated to prevent the freezing.

What general maintenance and consumables are there?

The vendor should provide a maintenance schedule, though the following can be assumed:

The heat transfer fluid is a consumable and will need replacing before its corrosion protection expires. Most UK OEMs use silicate-containing antifreeze with 2-year corrosion protection from new.

If in doubt, replace the heat transfer fluid after the first 2 years.

Seasonally inspect the boiler’s flue hoses. Check that the hoses are still secured and undamaged, and that they’re clear and free of obstruction. Contact your vendor if the hose is damaged.

When in constant use, completely drain and refill the fresh water system once a month.

Safety and emissions tests should be carried out in accordance with local regulations.

What is the power output of the Alde aluminium convectors?

The convectors put out ≈400 W per metre. Doubled up, they put out ≈600 W per metre.

How much does an Alde system weigh compared to a forced (blown) air system?

Varies. Bear in mind that even when the heating circuit is full, an Alde system provides both central heating and hot water, rather than having two separate systems. When full, an Alde system will weigh on average 3–7 kg more than a separate heating and hot water system, the equivalent of up to 3 bags of sugar.

As a private individual, can I service or buy products from Alde?

You can both service and purchase products from Alde and Truma at the new Alde Service Center in Färlöv.
However, we have no online or phone sales. If you are not going to be in the vicinity of Alde Service Center, we refer you to our talented dealers who are trained and know about our products. You will find all service locations in Europe here under ”Support”.

Questions about Compact 3000, 3010 and 3020 HE

Can I run the heater without fresh water?

Yes, you can run the heater without fresh water. However, you cannot run the system without glycol fluid.

How do I get hot water in summer without heat circulating in the system?

Set the room temperature required to well below the ambient temperature on the control panel. As Alde Compact 3000/3010 is a combination boiler it heats both the heating fluid and hot water at the same time. If you set the required temperature to about 5 °C below the ambient temperature on the control panel, the heating fluid won’t circulate out to the convectors as the circulation pump will be stationary. THERM (green) should be activated beneath the pump operation symbol on the control panel.

How much hot water is available?

The Alde Compact 3000/3010 has a water heater with a volume of approx. 8.4 litres of hot water at >50 °C. When the hot water is mixed with cold water (approx. 10 °C) to normal usage temperature (approx. 38 °C), this gives you around 12 litres of hot water every 30 minutes.

The colder the water, the longer it takes to heat up. If the 230 V electric elements are used instead of gas for heating the water heater, the capacity is slightly reduced. The function ”extra hot water” on the digital control panel for Compact 3010 raises the water temperature to > 65 °C in under 30 minutes. This means ≈ 15 litres of heated water, mixed and ready to use. Assuming an average flow rate of 3 litres per minute, this gives ≈5 minutes of continuous heated water for showers.

This can also be used to kill Legionella bacteria if the system has been standing unused for a spell. (Legionella bacteria dies within 2 mins at 65 °C.)

As a point of reference, a typical instantaneous water heater will draw ≈40 A on 230 V mains, and that’s without providing central heating.

Why am I not getting hot water, or why isn't the water very hot?

The control panel is set for constant circulation pump operation, which means that all the power is being used to run the heating system.

Do the digital control panels work with the Alde Compact 3000 as well?

No. Unlike the Alde Compact 3010 and 3020, the Alde Compact 3000 has no processor-controlled electronics.

Can I replace the control panel LCD on my Alde Compact 3010 with a touchscreen control panel?

Absolutely. All cables and equipment fit. A ready-made kit with control panel and cover frame is available (art. no. 3010 213).

How does the control panel work?

The instructions for your control panel and boiler should be left in your vehicle. You will find them under > Manuals .

How quickly should the vehicle heat up?

This varies enormously depending on the internal and external temperature, how many people are present, the design of the heating system and the vehicle’s insulation. And also depending on whether you’re just using the 230 V immersion heater (1, 2 or 3 kW) or just gas, or the immersion heater and gas together. This gives an output of anything from 1 kW to 8.7 kW. Room temperature inside the vehicle normally reaches a pleasant level within one hour if you’re using both gas and the immersion heater.

How do I get the best performance out of my heating system?

Make sure you’ve bled the heating system (it should be filled using an Alde filler pump 1900 811). Make sure that the ventilation ducts in the furniture aren’t blocked. Use maximum immersion heater and gas output while heating. Avoid taking hot water for showers, etc. until the vehicle is warm. Don’t allow the temperature in the vehicle to fall below 10 °C by day/in the evening.

Does my boiler have a 2 kW immersion heater, or a 3 kW one?

It’s impossible to tell from the control panel. You have to look at the rating plate on the boiler to find out. You’ll often find this between the exhaust gas connection and the plastic cover on the long side of the boiler. However, this only states the maximum output. Of course, the Alde Compact 3010 can be set to both 1 kW and 2 kW at the touch of a button if the vehicle is connected to a 230 V mains supply.

Pre-2013 (manufacture date), UK-spec boilers were limited to 2 kW electric heating, whilst Scandia-spec boilers had 3 kW. Some UK vendors used Scandia-spec boilers, however. This is the max power only, the Alde Compact boilers can still be set to 1 or 2 kW electric heating at the touch of a button, if 230 V mains supply is a concern. In 2013 all new boilers were produced to Scandia spec.

How much electrical power does the heating system use?

There are two mechanisms in the Alde Compact boilers that draw >0.1 A current from the vehicle battery. The exhaust fan venting waste gases (≈0.4 A), and the heating fluid being pumped around the circuit (≈0.2 A). So normal draw from the vehicle battery is between ≈0.2–0.6 A, including the control panel. Max draw is 1 A for approximately three seconds at system start-up.

Max draw from 230 V mains is ≈4.5 A on 1 (1 kW), ≈9 A on 2 (2.1 kW), and ≈14 A on 3 (3.2 kW).

How much LPG does the boiler use?

The boiler is so ingeniously designed that in the first instance it selects the immersion heaters as primary heat source if 230 V is connected to the vehicle and if the immersion heaters are activated on the control panel. If this is not enough, the LPG burner starts automatically (if this is activated in the control panel).
Electricity is often cheapest, so this heating option is the cheapest one.

Questions about the Comfort 292x

Can I run the heater without fresh water?

Yes, you can run the heater without fresh water. However, you cannot run the system without glycol fluid.

Why does the ignition spark keep striking even though the pilot light is on?

The ignition box isn’t sensing the flame, so it has to be replaced.

Why does the pilot light go out when I release the thermostat knob on the gas control?

This may be down to one of three things.

The thermocouple is broken and needs to be replaced. Contact an Alde service location.

The overheat protector, which comprises a fuse, has tripped. Contact an Alde service location.

The pilot burner is blocked with dirt so that the flame can’t reach the thermocouple. The pilot burner has to be cleaned or replaced. Contact an Alde service location.

Is the boiler boiling?

The gas control needs to be adjusted, or the thermostat knob needs to be set or replaced. Contact an Alde service location.

Questions about the glycol in the heating system

Can copper parts be used in the heating circuit?

No.

Copper particles will cause galvanic corrosion in the aluminum surfaces in the boiler’s glycol cylinder.

How much fluid is in the central heating system?

Can I fill up with water in the expansion vessel?

You can never use regular water in the expansion vessel. If you use concentrated glycol, you shall mix this with distilled water.

How much glycol should there be in the expansion tank?

When the liquid is cold, the level in a system of normal size should be about 1 cm above MIN. The bigger the heating system, the more the liquid expands and so the level should be lower when the system is cold.

What type of glycol should I use in my heating system?

A 50:50 mix of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water.

Ethylene glycol (aka mono ethylene glycol, MEG, and ethanediol) antifreeze is also used in engine radiators, and is commonly available from fuel stations, car accessory shops and online retailers, concentrated or ready to use.

This antifreeze should contain corrosion inhibitor, aka supplemental coolant additive (SCA) that protections against corrosion for a period of time.

How often do I need to replace the glycol in my heating system?

It depends on the quality of glycol already in your heating system. Glycol is a consumable item and has to be replaced before it stops providing protection (lubrication and rustproofing). A good quality glycol (type Alde G13) will only have to be replaced every five years, while glycol of a poorer quality should be replaced every two years. So in the long run, it’s worth using a good quality glycol.

Camping in winter

Do I need to winterise my system?

Yes.

Unless your vehicle is explicitly stated to be self-winterising, even if the central heating is left at 5°C over winter there may be chinks in the fresh water system that are insufficiently heated to prevent the freezing.

Can I use my heating system even though the freshwater in my water heater has been drained off?

Yes, you can use your heating system as normal even if the water heater is empty.

Does it matter what kind of LPG bottle I use when camping in winter?

LPG bottles made of steel or aluminum are ideal. But you should avoid LPG bottles made of composite materials as LPG has trouble vaporising below 0 °C.

Propane or butane - what kind of LPG should I use?

Propane can be used at temperatures down to -42 °C, while butane is more suited to temperatures of +5 °C and up.

Propane. Alde recommend the use of propane in all Alde systems within the UK.

The operating temperature ranges of propane and butane are different, and will impact performance even at mild temperatures. The gas in a smaller bottle will cool quicker as it is tapped than in a larger bottle, and bottles chilled overnight may not warm to operating temperature again during the day. Thus the size of a bottle and the temperature at which it’s stored will also impact performance.

BS 5482 Part 1 states, “For butane cylinders, satisfactory service might not be obtained at temperatures of less than 10 °C; the most suitable temperature range is from 13 to 30 °C. For temperatures less than 13 °C, the use of propane should be considered.”

Propane will operate down to -42 °C and is more suitable for a colder climate.

Be aware that Campingaz (formerly Camping Gaz) is butane, and therefore not recommended for use in our systems.

Autogas is a blend of propane/butane, and the ratio varies greatly across Europe. UK Autogas is guaranteed 99% propane, so is recommended by Alde UK for refillable gas cylinder systems.

Winter storage

What should I bear in mind when laying up my vehicle for the winter?

First of all, drain off all the freshwater from the water heater using the drain valve on the boiler. If you are unsure about how to proceed, read the instruction manual for the boiler.

Check to make sure that all the freshwater has been drained off. Don’t forget to also open the freshwater taps. Also check that you have enough antifreeze in the glycol in the heating system so that it can withstand the temperature at which the vehicle will be stored during the winter.

Can I run my heating system at maintenance level even though the freshwater in my water heater has been drained off?

Yes, you can use your heating system as normal even if the water heater is empty.

What boiler model do I have?

Comfort 2925 Balance (1982-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1982 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow sheet-metal box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Brown front plates.

2900 Långe Jan (1973-1980)

Product name: 2900 Långe Jan
Year of manufacture: 1973 – 1980
Miscellaneous: The first ”all in one” boiler with automatic system, expansion tank and circulation pump built into a single unit. Common in Adria and SMV.

2910 Junior (1977-1983)

Product name: 2910 Junior
Year of manufacture: 1977 – 1983
Miscellaneous: Just like its predecessor, 2900, the 2910 is also an ”all in one” boiler with an automatic system, expansion tank and circulation pump built into a single unit. What distinguishes it is that the 2910 has a tubular structure. The boiler had a somewhat lower output and was therefore ideal for smaller caravans

Comfort 2920 (1979-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2920
Year of manufacture: 1979 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and ignition button. The front plates are either lacquered brown or foliated with wood structure.

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1982-1984)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1982 – 1984
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Babysit) has a grey thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow sheet-metal box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with four switches. Brown front plates.

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1985-1989)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Grey front plates.

Comfort 2921 Automatic (1990-2001)

Product name: Comfort 2921 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Grey front plates.

Comfort 2925 Balance (1985-1989)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1985 – 1989
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a yellow plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Brown front plates.

Comfort 2925 Balance (1990-2001)

Product name: Comfort 2925 Balance
Year of manufacture: 1990 – 2001
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with three or four switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Grey front plates.

Comfort 2923 Automatic (1992-2003)

Product name: Comfort 2923 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2003
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box about 1 m from the floor. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with five switches. Grey front plates.

Comfort 2928 Balance (1992-2003)

Product name: Comfort 2928 Automatic
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2003
Miscellaneous: The gas control (Eurosit) has a black thermostat knob and is situated in a light grey plastic box about 1 m from the floor. Electronic ignition when the thermostat knob is pressed down. Panel with five switches. Takes combustion air from the roof flue via a hose. Grey front plates.

Alde Compact 3000 (1993-2006)

Product name: Alde Compact 3000
Year of manufacture: 1992 – 2006
Miscellaneous: The first combi-boiler with both heating and hot water in the same unit. Powered by LPG or 230 V heating element or both at the same time.
In the first year, the boiler was only sold to the motorhome manufacturer Niesmann + Bischoff and had model no. 3000901.

Alde Compact 3010 (2006-2014)

Product name: Alde Compact 3010
Year of manufacture: 2006 – 2014
Miscellaneous: A further development of our top selling Compact 3000. All connections for liquid and electricity moved to the boiler’s long side. Also a combi-boiler with both heating and hot water in the same unit. Powered by LPG or 230 V heating element or both at the same time. The output of the heating element has been increased to max. 3150 W. Two output stages on the LPG burner.

Alde Compact 3020 HE (2014-)

Product name: Alde Compact 3020 HE
Year of manufacture: 2014 –
Miscellaneous: A further development of our top selling Alde Compact 3010 but with more sophisticated electronics. Most products in the heating system can be controlled directly from the boiler’s control panel. Option of fully automated climate control together with an AC.